Is my vehicle considered a business/commercial vehicle?
I am a field technician for Dell. I take calls around Missouri, usually within a 30 mile radius of my home address. I get 0-13 calls a week, probably an average of 2 a day, Monday through Friday. It's not a company vehicle, it's my personal vehicle. I received a letter from Progressive saying:
"We discovered you may be using your
Please contact us at your earliest convenience to ensure you have the right policy for this vehicle."
If so, how much will this raise my insurance? and are there any added benefits, or is this just another way for them to get more money out of me?
Thanks.
If I drive an average of 60 miles a day for business purposes, how is that different from someone who drives 60 miles directly to their office job every morning, yet they are only required to have a normal insurance policy. I carry with me a $50 tool kit, that I purchased with my own money, and am not too worried about having insured.
Ruth
January 9th, 2010 - 18:36
Peggy
I think its more ways to get money out of you, but if you’re making good money I’ll stick with your job and get a new policy or something.
January 9th, 2010 - 20:52
Leslie
believe it or not, commercial insurance is better for you cuz it covers the contents (tools, machines, etc.) the rates will be a little higher, but well worth it.
January 11th, 2010 - 19:57
Brent
Yes, you are using your personal vehicle during the course of your employment. You should expect that your premiums will go up. On the other hand, if your employer requires that you use your personal vehicle, there may be some tax advantages. Only a tax preparer can tell you if you can depreciate your car over a three year period.
January 14th, 2010 - 10:15
Natalie
Because if you are driving to work, you are driving the same route and time everyday, so know or predict the driving conditions.
when doing calls, may not know where you are going, be looking for streets, addresses etc. also everytime get into a car have more chances to have an accident; if at work for 8 hours, car sits.
call progressive and compare rates to add business use to auto to your personal policy and if you qualify for a commercial policy.
after you get the quotes, ask if dell will compensate you for the addtl cost for your insurance. i am sure this has come up with all of field technicians;
also check when you file your taxes if you can deduct.
please note, they did you a favor, since one of the questions a good adjuster asks after an accident, where were you going and why. the personal auto policy has an exclusion that states is used in business can deny a claim. you dont want to have someone come after you personally for a claim when you have paid for insurance. i have had to deny claims for kids driving for pizza places, since they are so cheap, they wont insure them.
good luck
January 14th, 2010 - 11:00
Alexander
If you were to be at fault in a collision while working, your insurance company could deny you coverage because your vehicle is a commercial vehicle if used for business. Same thing as a pizza delivery driver.
Read your policy, it should state somewhere that losses due to business/commercial use is excluded from coverage.